By Ritah Kemigisa
The ministry of health is set to carry out a countrywide scientific study called a Sero-Survey to ascertain the intensity and prevalence of covid 19.
This comes at a time for the past days, the country has registered a drastic reduction in the number of positive cases as opposed to earlier anticipation that the numbers would multiply due to the election period.
This has made many assume that the country has successfully managed to combat the pandemic.
However the ministry’s spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyona warns that covid 19 is still around asking Ugandans not to get complacent.
He says it is still too early to speculate about the status of the pandemic adding that its only the survey results that will guide on the true picture.
A Serosurvey is a collection and testing of serum (or proxy such as oral fluid) specimens from a sample of a defined population over a specified period of time to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against a given specific infectious pathogen as an indicator of immunity.
Cost of vaccine
The ministry has meanwhile assured Ugandans that the covid 19 vaccine will be offered free of charge.
This follows concern by many people who have since expressed anger and fear that they can not afford paying for the vaccine when it arrives.
Uganda expects to get the first batch of over 3.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Covax facility early March.
Mr Ainebyona says the government will cater for the total cost of the vaccine which shall be offered to Ugandans freely.
He however says talks are on with the private sector to ensure those who can afford it can obtain it at a minimal price.
